Image forming apparatus and image forming method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus to obtain image data and print information including a setting value to generate an added image synthesized to the image data and to form an image based on the obtained image data, the image forming apparatus including: a control section to generate the added image based on the setting value included in the print information and to synthesize the generated added image with the image data to form an image.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an imageforming method.

2. Description of Related Art

When double-sided printing (printing on both sides) or two-in-oneprinting (printing two original images on one sheet) is performed on theimage forming apparatus, it is necessary to accurately align the imagewhich is to be formed on the sheet. As a mark for alignment and cutting,a mark for alignment (hereinafter referred to as mark) is printed in amargin portion in an area other than the image on the sheet.

A printer controller of the image forming apparatus performs RasterImage Processing (RIP) to convert an image transmitted from a personalcomputer (PC), etc. to an image for printing. Here, image synthesizingprocessing to synthesize image data of a mark to image data isperformed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-216935describes a technique of creating a mark based on size information, etc.of the print sheet associated with the print data and then synthesizesthe mark to the image or document and prints the output withoutresulting in increase of data amount or complex processing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-272782describes an information processing apparatus which can determine aposition of the original data according to a method of imposition so asto be able to perform imposition processing of original data moreefficiently.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-272783describes an information processing apparatus which can position theoriginal data to be positioned in the center position to performimposition processing of the original data more efficiently.

However, when the position where the mark is to be printed is changedafter the images are synthesized, with the technique described inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-216935, theimage needs to be created in the printer controller again and resent tothe printer. As for the technique described in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-272782 and Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-272783, the impositionprocessing of the original data can be performed efficiently, however inorder to change the position where the mark is to be printed, imageprocessing needs to be performed in the printer controller in a similarmanner.

When there is an instruction to insert a white page by user operation,since the sequence of the pages changes and the page on which the markis to be printed changes, image processing on the printer controllerneeds to be performed again. Also, the memory on the printer side needsa memory area with a size including the mark data. Further, it isdifficult for the printer controller to judge characteristics of thedevice of the printer side which makes it difficult for the printercontroller to determine the mark position reflecting suchcharacteristics. Also, in the copying function, the printer controlleris not used, and thus the mark could not be printed.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in consideration of the aboveproblems, and it is one of main objects to print a mark without using aprinter controller.

In order to achieve at least one of the above-described objects,according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage forming apparatus to obtain image data and print informationincluding a setting value to generate an added image synthesized to theimage data and to form an image based on the obtained image data, theimage forming apparatus including:

-   -   a control section to generate the added image based on the        setting value included in the print information and to        synthesize the generated added image with the image data to form        an image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image forming method of an image forming apparatus to obtain imagedata and print information including a setting value to generate anadded image to synthesize with the image data, the method including:

-   -   controlling to generate the added image based on the setting        value included in the print information, to synthesize the        generated added image with the image data to perform image        forming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings, andthus are not intended to define the limits of the present invention, andwherein;

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an image forming systemof the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the image formingsystem of the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of image output performed bythe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing imposition processing performed by theimage forming apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a paper divided in two withrespect to the long edge;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a mark position calculation processingperformed by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a crop mark position calculationprocessing performed in the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged diagram showing a crop mark printed at the upperleft of the image;

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a position of the crop markdrawn when the imposition is one face;

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing a position of the crop markdrawn when the imposition is two faces and the method of drawing thecrop mark is drawing with respect to each sheet;

FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram showing a position of the crop markdrawn when the imposition is two faces and the method of drawing thecrop mark is drawing with respect to each page;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts showing crop mark image penetrationchecking processing performed by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a register mark position calculationprocessing performed by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged diagram of a register mark printed at the centerof the image;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram to explain in detail the image outputprocessing performed by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the sheet on which the image isprinted when the image printed on the last page is only one face when aplurality of images are imposed;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram to explain when the crop mark offsetinformation is reflected and the coordinates where the crop mark isapplied is calculated;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of the mark which canbe selected in the third embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of a sheet when an area whichis maximum among all pages is the result of the mark drawing positioncalculation in one-in-one printing;

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an example of a sheet when an area whichis maximum among all pages is the result of the mark drawing positioncalculation in two-in-one printing;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet when the color used inprinting is changed according to the position of the crop mark;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the control system of the imageforming apparatus of the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram showing an image formed on the sheetwhen the magnification of the front and back is not set; and

FIG. 21B is a schematic diagram showing when the mark drawing positionis calculated in accordance with the maximum value of the area of theentire image on the front and back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment reflecting an aspect of the present invention isdescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scopeof the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

First Embodiment

The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the presentembodiment is described.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an image forming system S configuredfrom a PC 100 and an image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, thePC 100 and the image forming apparatus 1 are connected so as to be ableto transmit and receive data through the network N.

By user operation, the PC 100 inputs various pieces of informationnecessary for forming an image to the image forming apparatus 1. Forexample, the information includes image data of the image formed on thesheet, a size of the image, an image pasting position to show where theimage is formed (hereinafter, the image data, the size and the imagepasting position are collectively referred to as image information),size information of a sheet on which the image is formed, impositioninformation to identify content of imposition, various informationconcerning the mark to be printed on the sheet (hereinafter, simplyreferred to as mark information), etc.

Imposition is the number of pieces of image data which is to be formedon the sheet. The image forming apparatus 1 indentifies the number ofpieces of image data to be formed on the sheet with the impositioninformation, and performs, for example two-in-one printing (impositionof two planes), one-in-one printing (imposition of one plane), etc. Anynumber can be selected arbitrarily as the number of pieces of image datato be imposed, and in the present embodiment, two-in-one printing isdescribed.

The mark information input on the PC 100 includes trimming margin, cropmark presence information showing whether or not a crop mark to showtrimming position is present or not, crop mark drawing method to showwhether to print the crop mark and the register mark with respect toeach page or with respect to each sheet, mark output page setting toshow whether to print the mark on all pages or only the first page(front page), and register mark presence information to show whether ornot there is a register mark to show center position of the image orsheet.

The image forming apparatus 1 is mainly comprised of a printercontroller 10 and a printer engine 20. The printer controller 10performs various processing such as RIP processing to convert image databased on the print data received from the PC 100 so as to allow theprinter engine 20 to perform the image forming. The control by theprinter controller 10 allows the image forming apparatus 1 to functionas a network printer.

The printer engine 20 is the main body of the image forming apparatus 1to form the image on the sheet based on the image data input from the PC100 through the printer controller 10.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the control system of the image formingapparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the printercontroller 10, the printer engine 20, an engine control section 21, ascanner section 70, an operating section 80, etc.

The engine control section 21 centrally controls an internal section ofthe image forming apparatus 1 and includes a communication section 30, anonvolatile memory 40, an image processing section 50, a printer section60 and the like.

The communication section 30 is a communication interface to connect toa network with the PC 100 through the printer controller 10 with a LAN,a modem, NIC (Network Interface Card), and the like.

The nonvolatile memory 40 includes an HDD or a ROM which is to be aprogram memory and stores various processing programs, data, etc.concerning image forming. Also, the nonvolatile memory 40 stores dataconcerning image information, mark information, imposition information,sheet size, later-described various setting values necessary when animage is output, and various conditions to perform the jobs, which areinput from the PC 100.

The image processing section 50 includes a main control section 51,image editing section 52, signal section 53, etc. and performs variousprocessing on the image to be formed on the sheet.

The main control section 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit),RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and centrally controls each section ofthe engine control section 21. In conjunction with the program stored inthe nonvolatile memory 40, the main control section 51 performs thelater described image output operation to function as the mark positioncalculating section 51 a and the mark drawing section 51 b.

The image editing section 52 includes an image memory 52 a, etc. andperforms various image processing such as compression and decompressionon the image data input from the PC 100 through the printer controller10 according to control by the main control section 51. The image memory52 a includes an HDD, etc. and stores image data input from the PC 100and the scanner section 70.

The signal section 53 includes a synchronizing signal generating section53 a to generate a signal necessary when the image is formed in theprinter section 60, a counter 53 b, etc.

The printer section 60 performs image forming processing with anelectro-photographic method based on the input image data. The printersection 60 includes a sheet feeding tray to store sheets on which theimage is formed, a conveying roller to convey the sheet to the sheetfeeding tray, the ejecting section to eject the sheet on which the imageis formed, an image forming section including a photoconductive drum,compression roller, etc. to form an image on the sheet (all not shown).The printer section 60 includes a front and back variation magnificationprocessing section 60 a to perform variation magnification processing onthe image data after RIP processing based on control by the main controlsection 51.

The scanner section 70 reads an image of the document sent by the ADF(Auto Document Feeder). The document placed on a document tray of thescanner section 70 is conveyed onto the contact glass which is theposition where the document is read and an image of one face or twofaces on the document is scanned by the optics system and the image ofthe document is read by the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to obtain theimage data.

The operating section 80 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), atouch panel provided so as to cover the LCD, operation keys and thelike. The operating section 80 receives an instruction from the user andoutputs the operation signal to the engine control section 21. Theoperating section 80 displays the various operating instructions,various setting screens to input setting information, various processingresults, etc. based on the display signal input from the engine controlsection 21.

Next, the operation of the image forming system S is described.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of the processing of the image forming system S ofthe present embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, a print instruction, etc. is input on the PC100 (step S1). The print instruction is instructed by user input througha mouse, etc. of the PC 100 and is input with the image information, theimposition information, the sheet size information, the markinformation, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as printinformation). For example, image information includes informationshowing the image data is five sheets and the size of the image data isthe size of A5 (148.5 mm×210 mm) and a value indicating the positionwhere the image is formed is the center. Information representing anoutput instruction to print in two-in-one mode is transmitted asimposition information. A value indicating the document size of thesheet on which the image is formed is A3 (420 mm×297 mm) is transmittedas the sheet size information. The value indicating crop mark ispresent, margin of trimming is 3 mm, printing of crop mark is performedwith respect to each page, register mark is present and mark is printedon all pages is transmitted as mark information.

Next, the print instruction and the print information are transmittedthrough the network N to the printer controller 10 (step S2). RIPprocessing is performed in the printer controller 10 (step S3). The RIPprocessing is image conversion processing to convert image data receivedfrom the PC 100 to image data (Video data) which can be output from theprinter section 60 when image forming is performed based on the imagedata received from the PC 100. Various known methods can be used as theRIP processing.

One or a plurality of pieces of image data generated by the RIPprocessing (hereinafter referred to as RIP processed image data) andprint information (excluding image data) input from the PC 100 aretransmitted to the engine control section 21 (step S4). Specifically,when a plurality of pieces of image data are included in the imageinformation input from the PC 100, each piece of the RIP processed imagedata generated by RIP processing is transmitted through thecommunication section 30 of the engine control section 21 to the imageprocessing section 50. The print information (imposition information,etc.) other than the image data is transmitted from the printercontroller 10 to the engine control section 21 after the transmission ofall pieces of the image data is finished. The print information can betransmitted from the printer controller 10 to the engine control section21 at an arbitrary timing, for example, transmission with respect toeach page, or transmission before the transmission of image data starts.

The engine control section 21 stores the RIP processed image datareceived from the printer controller 10 in the image memory 52 a (stepS5). The received print information (excluding the image data) istemporarily stored in the RAM (not shown) or the like.

Next, the RIP processed image data stored in the image memory 52 a isread out and image output operation to perform image forming by adding amark on the RIP processed data is executed to form an image in theprinter section 60 (step S6).

Below, the image output operation performed in step S6 is described indetail.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the image output operation. When the imageforming starts according to a print instruction, the main controlsection 51 performs the image output operation in conjunction with theprogram stored in the nonvolatile memory 40. In the image outputoperation, an added image (crop mark and register mark) is synthesizedto the RIP processed image data stored in the image memory 52 a based onthe print information received from the PC 100 through the printercontroller 10.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the RIP processed image data stored in theimage memory 52 a is read out (step S10). Then, the impositionprocessing is performed (step S12).

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing an imposition processing performed instep S11.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the number of imposition is determined basedon the imposition information received through the printer controller 10(step S121). When it is determined that the number of imposition is twofaces (step S121; two faces), the area is divided in two with respect tothe long edge of the sheet (step S122). Specifically, two dimensionalcoordinates included in the area corresponding to the sheet with respectto each size of the sheet are stored in the nonvolatile memory 40 andthe size of the sheet is determined based on the sheet informationreceived through the printer controller 10 and the coordinates aredivided in two.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet divided in two withrespect to the long edge in step S122. FIG. 6 is an example showing whena size A3 sheet is divided in two. When the long edge is placed in thetop and bottom, the upper left edge of the sheet is to be coordinate O₁,the upper right edge of the sheet is to be coordinate O₂, the lower leftedge of the sheet is to be coordinate O₃, and the lower right edge ofthe sheet is to be coordinate O₄. The four edges of the sheet with thecoordinate O₁ to coordinate O₄ are stored in the nonvolatile memory 40corresponding to the size of the sheet. For example, when the size ofthe sheet is A3, the coordinate O₁ is stored as (0, 0), the coordinateO₂ is stored as (9920, 0), the coordinate O₃ is stored as (0, 7014) andthe coordinate O₄ is stored as (9920, 7014). Hereinafter, one unit ofthe coordinates is referred to as a dot.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the long edge of the sheet is the lineconnecting the coordinate O₁ and the coordinate O₂, and the lineconnecting the coordinate O₃ and the coordinate O₄. The long edge can bejudged by comparing the length of the line connecting the coordinate O₁and the coordinate O₂ and the line connecting the coordinate O₁ and thecoordinate O₃ or information to identify the coordinate corresponding tothe long edge can be stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 40.When the long edge of the sheet is divided in two, the sheet is dividedin two by a line connecting the middle points (each referred to ascoordinate O₁₂ and coordinate O₃₄) of the two long edges. In the abovedescribed coordinate example, the coordinate O₁₂ is (4960, 0) and thecoordinate O₃₄ is (4960, 7014).

Next, image combining processing is performed (step S123). The imagecombining processing is processing to determine the position where theimage is formed on the sheet and is determined by calculating theposition of the image based on the image information and the impositioninformation. For example, when images with a size of A5 are printed withtwo-in-one printing centered (center alignment) on the A3 sheet, withthe coordinate example shown in FIG. 6, images are formed in rectangularareas where the left face of the two-in-one printing is a rectangulararea with a diagonal line connecting coordinate O_(s1) (725, 1025) andcoordinate O_(E1) (4233, 5987) and the right face of the two-in-oneprinting is a rectangular area with a diagonal line connectingcoordinate O_(s2) (5686, 1027) and coordinate O_(E2) (9194, 5987). Instep S123, the two areas are calculated. When the imposition is oneface, one area is calculated and when the imposition is two faces, twoareas are calculated. The areas in which the images are formedrepresented by such diagonal lines are referred to as the individualimposition image area.

When the image combining processing is performed, the individualimposition image area calculated as described above is stored in the RAMof the main control section 51 (step S124). In step S124, the coordinatecomposing the diagonal lines showing the individual imposition imagearea is stored in the RAM of the main control section 51.

Returning to FIG. 4, it is judged whether or not there is a mark outputsetting based on the mark information received from the printercontroller 10 (step S13). When it is judged there is a mark outputsetting (step S13; YES) the mark output page setting is judged (stepS14). When it is judged there is no mark output setting (step S13; NO),the processing advances to a later described step S26.

When it is judged that mark output page setting shows output on allpages (step S14; output on all pages), it is judged whether or not thereis a setting of imposition (step S16). When it is judged there is asetting of imposition (step S16; YES), it is judged whether or not thereis a two face image (showing two images are formed on the sheet) on thesheet to form the image (step S18). When the imposition is set to thetwo face image, but only one image is formed on the last page, it isjudged in step S18 that there is no two face image.

When it is judged there is a setting of imposition (step S16; NO), andit is judged there is the two face image (step S18; YES), the markposition calculation processing is performed (step S20).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a mark position calculation processingperformed in step S20. By performing the mark position calculationprocessing, the main control section 51 functions as the mark positioncalculating section 51 a.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the entire image area after imposition(hereinafter referred to as imposition image entire area) is calculated(step S201). The imposition image entire area is the maximum area of theimage area positioned on one sheet and in the example shown in FIG. 6,the area surrounded by a rectangle with a diagonal line connecting thecoordinate O_(S1) and coordinate O_(E2). When the imposition is oneface, the entire image area and the individual imposition image areamatch. In step S201, these coordinates are stored in the RAM of the maincontrol section 51.

The number of imposition is determined based on the impositioninformation received from the printer controller 10 (step S202). When itis judged the number of imposition is two faces (step S202; two faces)the drawing method of the crop mark is judged based on the markinformation received from the printer controller 10 (step S203).

When it is judged the number of imposition is one face (step S202; oneface), and the drawing method of the crop mark is with respect to eachsheet (step S203; sheet), the imposition image entire area calculated instep S201 is set as the finishing image area and is stored in the RAM ofthe main control section 51 (step S204). The finishing image area is anarea showing a unit of an image on which the crop mark or register markis applied. Next, the crop mark position calculation processing(described in detail later) is performed (step S205). When the drawingmethod of the crop mark is with respect to each page (step S203; page),the individual imposition image area is set as the finishing image areaand stored in the RAM of the main control section 51 (step S206). Next,the crop mark position calculation processing is performed (step S207).

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the crop mark position calculationprocessing performed in step S205 and step S207. First, as shown in FIG.8, the coordinate of the crop mark drawn in the position correspondingto the upper left of the image (coordinate O_(S1) of the example shownin FIG. 6) is calculated (step S2051).

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged diagram of a crop mark printed in the upperleft of the image. The crop mark of the present embodiment is composedof four lines of lines L1 to L4.

When the coordinate of the upper left of the image is O_(S1)(X_(Start1), Y_(Start1)), line L1 is a rectangular area with a diagonalline connecting (X_(StartL1), Y_(StartL1))=(X_(Start1)−length of oneedge of mark, Y_(Start1)−mark line width) and (X_(ENDL1),Y_(ENDL1))=(X_(Start1)+trimming margin+mark line width, Y_(Start1)). Thelength of one edge of mark is a value showing a length of the mark. Themark line width is a value showing the width of the lines L1 to L4 (forexample, 4dot: four coordinates). The length of one edge of mark and themark line width are both stored in the nonvolatile memory 40 and thevalue can be changed by input from the operating section 80.

The line L2 is a rectangular area with a diagonal line connecting(X_(StartL2), Y_(StartL2))=(X_(Start1)−length of one edge of mark,Y_(Start1)+trimming margin) and (X_(ENDL2), Y_(ENDL2))=(X_(Start1),Y_(Start1)+trimming margin+mark line width).

The line L3 is a rectangular area with a diagonal line connecting(X_(StartL3), Y_(StartL3))=(X_(Start1)−mark line width,Y_(Start1)−length of one edge of mark) and (X_(ENDL3),Y_(ENDL3))=(X_(Start1), Y_(Start1)+trimming margin+mark line width).

The line L4 is a rectangular area with a diagonal line connecting(X_(StartL4), Y_(StartL4))=(X_(Start1)+trimming margin,Y_(Start1)−length of one edge of mark) and (X_(ENDL4),Y_(ENDL4))=(X_(Start1)+trimming margin+mark line width, Y_(Start1)).

The coordinate of the crop mark drawn in the upper right of the image iscalculated (step S2052). The coordinate of the crop mark drawn in thelower left of the image is calculated (step S2053). The coordinate ofthe crop mark drawn in the lower right of the image is calculated (stepS2054). The processing in steps S2052 to S2054 are calculated similar tostep S2051 based on the coordinates composing the finishing image area,length of one edge of mark, mark line width, and trimming margin andtherefore the description is omitted. The coordinate corresponding to 16lines which is the sum of the lines of the four crop marks is stored inthe alignment, etc. and stored in the RAM of the main control section51.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C schematically show the position of the crop markcalculated in the crop mark position calculation processing. FIG. 10A isa crop mark drawn when the imposition is one face and the crop mark isadded to the four corners of the image. FIG. 10B is imposition of twofaces and is a crop mark drawn when the crop mark drawing method is withrespect to each sheet, and the crop mark is added to the four cornerswith two images as one unit. FIG. 10C is imposition with two faces andis a crop mark drawn when the crop mark drawing method is with respectto each page, and the crop mark is added to the four corners with eachof the two images as a unit for drawing the mark.

Returning to FIG. 7, the crop mark image penetration checking processingis performed to determine whether or not the crop mark added to oneimage penetrates the other image area (step S208).

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show a flowchart of crop mark image penetrationchecking processing performed in step S208. As shown in FIG. 11A andFIG. 11B, it is judged whether or not the X_(ENDLn) of line Ln(hereinafter, “n” of Ln is an integer from 1 to 4) of the crop mark inone image is smaller than the X_(start) (showing all of X_(StartL1) toX_(StartL4) are compared) of the other image formed on the same sheet(step S2081).

When it is judged that it is not smaller (step S2081; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the X_(StartLn) of the line the same as the line comparedin step S2081 (hereinafter referred to as simple the same line) islarger than the X_(END) (showing all of X_(ENDL1) to X_(ENDL4) arecompared) of the other image formed on the same sheet (step S2082).

When it is judged that it is not larger (Step S2082; NO) it is judgedwhether or not the Y_(ENDLn) of the same line is smaller than Y_(Start)(showing all of Y_(StartL1) to Y_(StartL4) are compared) of the otherimage formed on the same sheet (step S2083).

When it is judged that it is not smaller (step S2083; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the Y_(start) of the same line is larger than the Y_(END)(showing all of Y_(ENDL1) to Y_(ENDL4) are compared) of the other imageformed on the same sheet (step S2084).

When it is judged that it is not larger (step S2084; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the X_(StartLn) of the same line is smaller than theX_(Start) of the other image formed on the same sheet (step S2085).

When it is judged that it is smaller (step S2085; YES), a numeric valuewhere a predetermined constant a (for example, 1) is subtracted fromX_(Start) of the other image when it is judged that it is smaller issubstituted in the X_(ENDLn) of the same line (step S2086). In thiscase, it is judged that the right edge of the line penetrates the otherimage.

When it is judged that it is not smaller (step S2085; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the X_(ENDLn) of the same line is larger than the X_(END)of the other image formed on the same sheet (step S2087).

When it is judged that it is larger (step S2087; YES), a numeric valuewhere a predetermined constant α is added to X_(END) of the other imagewhen it is judged that it is larger is substituted in the X_(StartLn) ofthe same line (step S2088). In this case, it is judged that the leftedge of the line penetrates the other image.

When it is judged that it is not larger (step S2087; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the Y_(StartLn) of the same line is smaller than theY_(Start) of the other image formed on the same sheet (step S2089).

When it is judged that it is smaller (step S2089; YES), a numeric valuewhere a predetermined constant α is subtracted from Y_(Start) of theother image when it is judged that it is smaller is substituted in theY_(ENDLn) of the same line (step S2088). In this case, it is judged thatthe bottom edge of the line penetrates the other image.

When it is judged that it is not smaller (step S2089; NO), it is judgedwhether or not the Y_(ENDLn) of the same line is larger than the Y_(END)of the other image formed on the same sheet (step S2091).

When it is judged that it is larger (step S2091; YES), a numeric valuewhere a predetermined constant α is added to Y_(END) of the other imagewhen it is judged that it is larger is substituted in the Y_(StartLn) ofthe same line (step S2092). In this case, it is judged that the top edgeof the line penetrates the other image.

When it is judged that it is not larger (step S2091; NO), it is judgedthat the entire area of the line penetrates the other image and 0 issubstituted in all of X_(startLn), X_(ENDLn), Y_(StartLn), and Y_(ENDLn)(Step S2093).

When it is judged that it is smaller (step S2081; YES), this shows thatthe line does not penetrate the other image and that the line is to theleft side of the image area of the other image and the processingadvances to step S2094.

When it is judged that it is larger (step S2082; YES), this shows thatthe line does not penetrate the other image and that the line is to theright side of the image area of the other image and the processingadvances to step S2094.

When it is judged that it is smaller (step S2083; YES), this shows thatthe line does not penetrate the other image and that the line is to theupper side of the image area of the other image and the processingadvances to step S2094.

When it is judged that it is larger (step S2084; YES), this shows thatthe line does not penetrate the other image and that the line is to thelower side of the image area of the other image and the processingadvances to step S2094.

Then it is judged whether or not the checking of all of the lines Ln ofthe crop mark is finished (step S2094).

When it is judged that the checking is not finished (step S2094; NO),the processing returns to step S2081 and the checking of the next lineis performed. In other words, one is incremented to n and for example,after checking line L1, checking of line L2 is performed.

When it is judged that the checking is finished (step S2094; YES), it isjudged whether or not the checking of all of the crop marks of the imageis finished (step S2095).

When it is judged that the checking is not finished (step S2095; NO),the processing returns to step S2081, and the checking of the line Ln ofthe crop mark which is not checked by the processing is performed. Whenit is judged that the checking is finished (step S2095; YES) the markimage penetration checking processing is finished.

Returning to FIG. 7, it is judged whether or not the drawing of all cropmarks on all imposed images is finished (step S209). When it is judgedthat all is not finished (step S209; NO), the processing returns to stepS206, and the position calculation of the crop mark of the next image(in other words, the other image formed on the same sheet) is performed.

When it is judged that it is all finished (step S209; YES), theimposition image entire area is set as the finishing image area and isstored in the RAM of the main control section 51 (step S210). Next, theprocessing of register mark position calculation is performed (stepS211).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a register mark position calculationprocessing performed in step S211. As shown in FIG. 12, first, the edgeof the finishing image area is compared (step S2111).

When it is judged that it is longer in the X direction (step S2111; longin the X direction), the drawing coordinate of the left side of theregister mark is calculated (step S2112).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the drawing of the left side of theregister mark is composed of two lines which are line CL1 surrounded inan area of (X_(cStart1), Y_(cStart1))=(X_(Start1)−margin amount−lengthof one edge of mark/2−mark line width/2,Y_(Start1)+(Y_(END1)−Y_(Start1))/2−(length of one edge of mark/2)) and(X_(cEND1), Y_(cEND1))=(X_(Start1)−margin amount−length of one edge ofmark/2+mark line width/2, Y_(Start1)+(Y_(END1)−Y_(Start1))/2+(length ofone edge of mark/2)) and line CL2 surrounded in an area of (X_(cStart2),Y_(cStart2))=(X_(Start1)−margin amount−length of one edge of mark,Y_(Start1)+(Y_(END1)−Y_(Start1))/2−mark line width/2) and (X_(cEND2),Y_(cEND2))=(X_(Start1)−margin amount,Y_(Start1)+(Y_(END1)−Y_(Start1))/2+mark line width/2). The margin amountis the margin between the register mark and the image and a valueshowing the margin amount is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory40.

Next, the drawing coordinate of the register mark of the right side iscalculated (step S2113). Similar to step S2112, the calculating methodin step S2113 calculates based on the coordinate S1 (X_(Start1),Y_(Start1)), coordinate E1 (X_(END1), Y_(END1)), margin amount, lengthof one edge of mark and mark line width.

When it is judged that the Y direction is longer (step S2111; Ydirection long), the drawing coordinate of the upper side of theregister mark is calculated (step S2114). Next, the drawing coordinateof the lower side of the register mark is calculated (step S2115). Thecalculating method of step S2114 and step S2115 is similar to step S2112and step S2113.

The coordinate of the crop mark calculated in step S205 or step S207 andthe coordinate of the register mark calculated in step S211 are set in apredetermined area of the mark drawing section 51 b (step S22).

When it is judged that the mark output page setting is to output only onthe front page (step S14; output only on front page), it is judgedwhether or not the image of the front page is formed (step S24). When itis judged that the image of the front page is formed (step S24; YES),the processing advances to step S16. When it is judged that the image ofthe front page is not formed (step S24; NO), the image output processingis performed in the printer section 60 (step S26).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram describing in detail the image outputprocessing performed in step S26. A CLK signal generated in a unit of apixel in the X direction of the sheet and the INDEX signal generated ina unit of a line in the Y direction of the sheet is input from the clockgeneration section which is not shown to the image processing section50. An HV signal and a VV signal used in drawing the image is generatedin the synchronizing signal generating section 53 a based on the abovesignals. The counter 53 b allows the main control section 51 torecognize the position to draw on the sheet. Similar processing isperformed in drawing the mark. As shown in FIG. 14, the mark drawingsection 51 b is a register to set the position information of the markstored in the RAM and when the counter reaches to the mark drawingposition, the mark is output as image data.

It is judged whether or not output of all pages is finished (step S28).When it is judged that output of all pages is not finished (step S28;NO), the processing returns to step S10. When it is judged that outputof all pages is finished (step S28; YES), the processing ends.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of thepresent embodiment, an additional image (crop mark and register mark)can be synthesized on the RIP processed image in the printer engine sideto perform image forming. After the RIP processing is performed by theprinter controller, even when the forming position of the added image ischanged due to inserting a page, etc., the added image can besynthesized in a processing of the printer engine side, and consequentlythere is no need to perform the RIP processing again.

Also, the register mark synthesized in the printer engine is printed ina position showing the center of the image formed on the sheet andconsequently there is no need to synthesize the register mark necessaryin folding processing with the processing of the printer controller. Thesame can be said for the crop mark necessary in trimming.

Also, the added image can be printed only on the front page or can beprinted with respect to each image or each page depending on thesituation. When a plurality of images are imposed, and the image printedon the last page is only one face, according to the processing in stepS18, the added image is not formed on the last page as shown in FIG. 15.

The description of the above described embodiment is one example of asuitable image forming apparatus of the present invention and thepresent invention is not limited to the above. For example, in the markimage penetration checking processing of the present embodiment, it isjudged whether or not the crop mark overlaps the image with the edge ofthe image as the standard. Alternatively, the margin width can be storedin advance in the nonvolatile memory 40, etc., and it can be judgedwhether or not the crop mark is in the area where the image and themargin width are combined. Also, in the register mark positioncalculation processing, the register mark is added to the long edge.Alternatively, the register mark can be added to the short edge, or canbe added to both the long edge and the short edge.

Also, it is possible to allow the user to switch whether or not to addthe crop mark and the register mark. When it is set not to add the cropmark, the crop mark position calculation processing can be skipped andonly the register mark position calculation can be performed.

Also, as a computer readable medium other than the ROM used in thepresent embodiment, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory etc.including SD (Secure Digital) card, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memoryand the like, or portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can beapplied. Also, various data such as data of the program or audio data ofthe present invention can be provided through a communication linesuperimposed on a carrier wave.

Specific operation of the image forming system can be suitably modifiedwithout leaving the scope of the present invention.

Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus is described.The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in thatthere is a margin (offset) between the crop mark and the image formed onthe sheet. Below, only the point different from the first embodiment isdescribed.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that themark information includes crop mark position offset information. Thecrop mark position offset information is the margin width between anedge of the image and the crop mark. For example, information showingthe crop mark position offset amount is 5 mm is included n the markinformation. In the mark position calculation processing in step S20,the crop mark offset information is reflected when calculating thecoordinate to add the crop mark.

FIG. 16 shows an example of calculating the coordinate where the cropmark is to be added considering the crop mark offset information. Asshown in FIG. 16, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of thesecond embodiment, the crop mark can be printed with a margin betweenthe crop mark and the edge of the image where the margin (crop markposition offset amount) is formed at a predetermined distance from theedge of the image formed on the sheet.

Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus is described.The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only on thepoint that the shape of the mark can be selected.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the shape of the mark which can be selectedin the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, according to the imageforming apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, any one of type 1 to 3 canbe selected by input on the operating section 80. The selected type ofmark is stored in the nonvolatile memory 40, etc. In the mark drawingposition calculation processing, the position is calculated similar tothe first embodiment. However, the various setting values such as markline width, etc. are different depending on the type and the varioussetting values are stored in the nonvolatile memory 40.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is described.The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only on thepoint that when it is set to draw the crop mark in the maximum area ofthe input image area or the synthesized image area, the calculation ofthe imposition image entire area performed in the mark positioncalculation processing is not performed.

Before the imposition processing in step S12 is performed, theimposition image entire area of all pages instructed to be printed iscalculated. The calculation method is similar to that of step S201 andthus the description is omitted. The maximum area in all pages is to bethe result of the mark drawing position calculation processing (FIG. 7),and the position is set in step S22.

FIG. 18A shows an example of a sheet when the maximum area of all pagesis the result of the mark drawing position calculation in one-in-oneprinting. FIG. 18B shows an example of a sheet when the maximum area ofall pages is to be the result of the mark drawing position calculationin two-in-one printing. As shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, according tothe image forming apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment, the crop mark isprinted in the position corresponding to the image area which is largestamong the series of images formed.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, the fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is described.The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in thatthe color of printing is changed according to the position of the cropmark.

As shown in FIG. 19, the color of printing is changed according to theposition of the crop mark (for example, upper left printed in red, upperright printed in blue, etc.) so that even when the crop mark overlaps,it is easy to determine which crop mark the mark is.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, the sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is described.The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in thatthe image output operation is performed based on the image data read bythe scanner section 70, mark information input from the operatingsection 80 and the like.

When the image is formed based on the image data obtained by reading thedocument in scanner 70, the image data is stored in the image memory 52a and the mark information, etc. is stored in the RAM of the maincontrol section 51. The image output operation can be performed based onsuch information.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, the seventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus isdescribed. The seventh embodiment is different from the first embodimentonly in that the front and back variation magnification processing isnot performed on the RIP processed image data.

The seventh embodiment is different from the first embodiment in thatthe printer section 60 does not include the front and back variationmagnification processing section 60 a. FIG. 20 shows a block diagram ofa control system of the image forming apparatus 1 of the seventhembodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, in the seventh embodiment, the printersection 60 does not include the front and back variation magnificationprocessing section 60 a.

Also, the mark position calculation processing is different from thefirst embodiment in the seventh embodiment. In the first embodiment, thesame imposition image entire area is used in both the front and the backof the sheet, but in the seventh embodiment, the imposition image entirearea is different in the front and the back.

FIG. 21A shows an example of the image formed on a sheet when themagnification of the front and back is not set. The area shown in solidline is the imposition image entire area of the front and the area shownin dotted line shows the image entire area of the back. As shown in FIG.21A, when the magnification of the front and back is not set, imageswith different sizes are formed on the front and back and there is apossibility that the crop mark remains when trimmed.

FIG. 21B shows an example when the mark drawing position is calculatedin accordance with the maximum value of the image entire area of thefront and back. In the example shown in FIG. 21B, the reference point ofthe variation magnification is a point at the left edge of the conveyingdirection of the sheet. The reduction percentage input in advance fromthe operating section 80 is to be 1%, and the imposition image entirearea before variation magnification is a rectangular area with adiagonal line connecting coordinate O_(1S) (1027, 725) and coordinateO_(1E) (5987, 9285). When the surface is first drawn, the image of thefront is smaller compared to the back, and the coordinate O_(1S) isoutside of the image area of the back when reduced and correction is notperformed. The coordinate O_(1E) is inside of the image area of the backwhen reduced and the reduction magnification is calculated and thecoordinate O_(1E)=(5928+5928*0.01, 9194+9194*0.01)=(5987, 9285) and theimposition image entire area is corrected.

When the back is drawn last, the front image is smaller compared to theback image and in the above example, the coordinate O_(1S) is inside theimage area of the back when reduced and the reduction magnification iscalculated and the coordinate O_(1S)=(725−725*0.01,1027−1027*0.01)=(718, 1016) and the imposition image entire area iscorrected. The coordinate O_(1S) is outside the image area of the backwhen reduced and is not corrected.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of theseventh embodiment, the added image can be synthesized considering thevariation magnification percentage. In a typical image formingapparatus, when an image is formed on a sheet the sheet tends to shrinkwhen the heat used in fixing subsides, and an added image can be printedcorresponding to the shrunk sheet. The area shown with an alternate longand short dashed line shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B is an area of theshrunk sheet. By specifying a variation magnification percentageaccording to the area of the sheet, the added image can be formedfreely.

According to an aspect of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided an image forming apparatus to obtain imagedata and print information including a setting value to generate anadded image synthesized to the image data and to form an image based onthe obtained image data, the image forming apparatus including:

-   -   a control section to generate the added image based on the        setting value included in the print information and to        synthesize the generated added image with the image data to form        an image.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided an image forming method of an image formingapparatus to obtain image data and print information including a settingvalue to generate an added image to synthesize with the image data, themethod including:

-   -   controlling to generate the added image based on the setting        value included in the print information, to synthesize the        generated added image with the image data to perform image        forming.

According to the above aspects, the mark can be printed without usingthe printer controller.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus,

-   -   the print information includes image area information showing an        image area of the image data; and    -   the control section determines a position showing a center of an        area of an image formed on a sheet based on the image area        information and synthesizes as the added image the added image        which shows a center of an image to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image to a position corresponding to the center ofthe image formed on the sheet based on the image area information toform the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control section performsimposition processing of the image data and synthesizes the added imageto a center position of an area of an entire imposition image formed onthe sheet based on the image area information to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the added image synthesizedby the control section is formed in a position where the sheet isfolded.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus:

-   -   the print information includes image area information to show        the image area of the image data and trimming margin information        to show a width of the image area when the added image is        synthesized to the circumference of the image area; and    -   the control section performs imposition processing of the image        data and synthesizes the added image to the image processed with        the imposition processing based on the image area information        and the trimming margin information and forms the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image to four corners of each image area of imagedata on which imposition is to be performed to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image to four corners of the image areacorresponding to the image data after imposition to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectiondetermines a position to synthesize the added image based on the imagearea information and the trimming margin information and synthesizes theadded image to four corners of the image area corresponding to each of aplurality of pieces of image data to be imposed or four corners of imagearea corresponding to image data after imposition.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the added image synthesizedby the control section is a crop mark showing a position to trim thesheet on which the image is formed.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus:

-   -   the print information further includes specification information        to specify a position on which the added image is formed; and    -   the control section synthesizes a plurality of added images        based on the specification information including a margin around        the image area to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control section does notsynthesize the added image when the image to be formed on the sheet isone in performing the imposition processing of a plurality of pieces ofimage data.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, when a series of images areformed on a plurality of sheets, the control section synthesizes theadded image to four corners of the image area of the sheet where theimage area of the sheet is maximum to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, when imposition processingof the image data is performed and a series of images are formed on aplurality of sheets, the control section synthesizes the added image tofour corners of the image area of the sheet where the image area of thesheet after imposition is maximum to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image only to the first sheet among a plurality ofsheets on which the image is formed to form the image.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control section does notsynthesize the added image in the image area when the added image to beformed on the sheet is included in the image area in performing theimposition processing of the image data.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a counter togenerate a signal at a predetermined cycle,

-   -   wherein the control section creates the added image composed of        the linear data based on the signal generated by the counter to        synthesize the image data.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image with a different color with respect to eachof the added image when a plurality of added images are synthesized.

Consequently, the color used in printing is changed according to theposition of the crop mark (for example, red is used for upper left, blueis used for upper right, etc.) and therefore, it is easy to judge whichcrop mark even when the crop marks overlap.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes an operatingsection to input variation magnification percentage of front and back ofthe image to be formed on the sheet,

-   -   wherein the position where the added image is formed is        calculated based on the variation magnification percentage input        on the operating section.

Consequently, the added image can be synthesized considering thevariation magnification percentage.

Although various exemplary embodiments have been shown and described,the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, thescope of the invention is intended to be limited solely by the scope ofthe claims that follow and not by the above explanation, and it isintended that the present invention covers modifications and variationsthat come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present U.S. Patent Application claims priority under the ParisConvention of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-155166 filed on Jun.30, 2009 to the Japanese Patent Office, which shall be a basis forcorrecting mistranslations.

1. An image forming apparatus to obtain image data and print informationincluding a setting value to generate an added image synthesized to theimage data and to form an image based on the obtained image data, theimage forming apparatus comprising: a control section to generate theadded image based on the setting value included in the print informationand to synthesize the generated added image with the image data to forman image.
 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the printinformation includes image area information showing an image area of theimage data; and the control section determines a position showing acenter of an area of an image formed on a sheet based on the image areainformation and synthesizes as the added image the added image whichshows a center of an image to form the image.
 3. The image formingapparatus of claim 2, wherein the control section synthesizes the addedimage to a position corresponding to the center of the image formed onthe sheet based on the image area information to form the image.
 4. Theimage forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control section performsimposition processing of the image data and synthesizes the added imageto a center position of an area of an entire imposition image formed onthe sheet based on the image area information to form the image.
 5. Theimage forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the added image synthesizedby the control section is formed in a position where the sheet isfolded.
 6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the printinformation includes image area information to show the image area ofthe image data and trimming margin information to show a width of theimage area when the added image is synthesized to the circumference ofthe image area; and the control section performs imposition processingof the image data and synthesizes the added image to the image processedwith the imposition processing based on the image area information andthe trimming margin information and forms the image.
 7. The imageforming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control section synthesizesthe added image to four corners of each image area of image data onwhich imposition is to be performed to form the image.
 8. The imageforming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control section synthesizesthe added image to four corners of the image area corresponding to theimage data after imposition to form the image.
 9. The image formingapparatus of claim 6, wherein the control section determines a positionto synthesize the added image based on the image area information andthe trimming margin information and synthesizes the added image to fourcorners of the image area corresponding to each of a plurality of piecesof image data to be imposed or four corners of image area correspondingto image data after imposition.
 10. The image forming apparatus of claim6, wherein the added image synthesized by the control section is a cropmark showing a position to trim the sheet on which the image is formed.11. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the printinformation further includes specification information to specify aposition on which the added image is formed; and the control sectionsynthesizes a plurality of added images based on the specificationinformation including a margin around the image area to form the image.12. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control sectiondoes not synthesize the added image when the image to be formed on thesheet is one in performing the imposition processing of a plurality ofpieces of image data.
 13. The image forming apparatus of claim 6,wherein when a series of images are formed on a plurality of sheets, thecontrol section synthesizes the added image to four corners of the imagearea of the sheet where the image area of the sheet is maximum to formthe image.
 14. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein whenimposition processing of the image data is performed and a series ofimages are formed on a plurality of sheets, the control sectionsynthesizes the added image to four corners of the image area of thesheet where the image area of the sheet after imposition is maximum toform the image.
 15. The image forming apparatus of claim 13, wherein thecontrol section synthesizes the added image only to the first sheetamong a plurality of sheets on which the image is formed to form theimage.
 16. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controlsection does not synthesize the added image in the image area when theadded image to be formed on the sheet is included in the image area inperforming the imposition processing of the image data.
 17. The imageforming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a counter to generate asignal at a predetermined cycle, wherein the control section creates theadded image composed of the linear data based on the signal generated bythe counter to synthesize the image data.
 18. The image formingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the control section synthesizes the addedimage with a different color with respect to each of the added imagewhen a plurality of added images are synthesized.
 19. The image formingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising an operating section to inputvariation magnification percentage of front and back of the image to beformed on the sheet, wherein the position where the added image isformed is calculated based on the variation magnification percentageinput on the operating section.
 20. An image forming method of an imageforming apparatus to obtain image data and print information including asetting value to generate an added image to synthesize with the imagedata, the method comprising: controlling to generate the added imagebased on the setting value included in the print information, tosynthesize the generated added image with the image data to performimage forming.